Archive for category Rode VideoMic

The Rode VideoMic can bring rich, clear and static free audio to your videos, making your productions look and sound more professional.

The VidoMic turns your average camcorder into something much more professional. Plus, your camcorder outfit will look a lot better.

I use the Rode VideoMic on my Canon Vixia HF R20 with a mounting arm bracket. The sound quality improves by quite a bit as the video below illustrates. This is handy when you are trying to get sound from a distance. The on-board microphone on the Canon, or for that matter any video camera cannot capture the sound like an external microphone can. You simply mount the microphone on the bracket, or a hotshoe on another camcorder or DSLR camera, and plug it into the 1/8 inch microphone input jack. The microphone comes with its own power via a 9 volt battery.

As you will see in the video below, “Bucky” does a test of the microphone at a close range, with a result that is much richer with less echo than the built-in microphone. Also, the test is done with a Canon Vixia HF40, which is just a step up from the HF20.

The test is done at maybe 3-4 feet away, followed by a test at 7 feet away.

The Pro’s

Improve your audio quality for all of your video shoots.

Filter your sound for high or low pass.

Turn your average camcorder into something much more professional.

The Con’s

Adds bulk to your camcorder.

Requires a mounting bracket if you are using a camcorder that does not have a hotshoe.

A 9 volt battery is required.

If you are looking for more information on the Rode VideoMic, you can check out our sources and best deals below.

The video below was shot with my Canon Vixia outfit. I shot the video in 24p so it is grainy on purpose. The audio is as clear as it can be considering the vocal mix and atmosphere. I shot the band from about 15 feet away, and mixed cuts from previous songs into the edit to make it a little more interesting.

My other camcorder audio sounded terrible when I tried recording, with pops and hisses, as well as garble. I could only use some of the video, I had to delete the audio. As you will see though, using the Cano Vixia HF R20 and the Rode VideoMic- it did not pick up all the background noise from the bar, which was full of people yelling and maintained fairly clean audio from the band. I was happy.